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EauMG’s Valentine’s Day 2016 Gift Guide

I don’t actually know anyone that celebrates Valentine’s Day. I mean, it’s a weird holiday that seems OK in theory but we rarely see it in practice. Honestly, I only put together these gift guides because it gives me an excuse to talk about rose-scented things, champagne and other things that I like.

If you feel like treating yourself in the middle of February, when we’re all so over winter, here are my suggestions:

For Glamour

Pretty makeup picks to make us feel beautiful even if it isn’t pretty outside –

Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Balm in Candied Cassis – This new product has both a lip scrub and a lip balm that are perfect for prepping lips for bolder shades or just for making lips look healthy. Plus, I like the packaging which reminds me of a macaron. There’s a few colors available. I like the “juiciness” of this shade. Retails for about $20 at Sephora.

Christian Louboutin Matte Rouge Lip Color in Rouge Louboutin – This is the sexiest lipstick packaging ever. The color is a matte red. Of course, the color is gorgeous but with this product, it’s all about that dagger/heel-esque tube. Retails for $90 at Nordstrom.

Physicians Formula Argan Wear Kohl Kajal Eyeliner – Smoky eyes are sexy and well, you can pair it with a lippie that won’t smear with snogging. I love the packaging of this soft, black eyeliner. Retails for about $10 at Ulta.

For Smooth Skin

Winter skin needs some extra TLC –

Jurlique Love Notes Gift Set – It’s a gift set of rose body products (oil, mist and cream). Now you can really smell like rose from head to toe. Retails for $72 at Beauty.com.

Malle Carnal Flower Shower Gel – Malle shower gels are so luxurious. This is a heady tuberose that is so over-the-top. I love it. Retails for $65 at Malle. Review of the perfume here.

Providence Perfume Co. Amber Cream Body Oil – This is a natural, sweet smelling body oil that leaves my skin feeling so soft. The aroma layers nicely with everything. No joke. I can’t think of a genre of perfume that doesn’t “work” with this. Retails for $26 at Providence Perfume Co. Full review here.

Simply Divine Botanicals How Now Brown Cacao Body Dessert – Here’s another way to indulge in your chocolate craving. This is a natural body butter that smells good enough to eat. It smells like chocolate. Retails for about $30 at Beautyhabit.

Smell Wonderful

Perfumes to make your February be even more romantic –

Parfums DelRae Coup de Foudre EDP – This is one of the few perfumes out there that I think actually smells “pink”. It’s a flirty blend of rose and peony. Retails for $150 at Beautyhabit. Full review here.

Papillon Salome EDP – If you want to smell like the sexiest person on the planet, then wear this. This is an in-your-face animalic oriental that brings to mind Old Hollywood glamour. Retails for $160 at Luckyscent.

Sabé Masson Solid Perfume in Striptease Flowers – Close-wearing perfumes can say just as much as those that project for miles. This is a subtle orange blossom gourmand. Retails for $25 at Beautyhabit.

Ambiance

An excuse to burn candles –

Kilian Scented Tassel in Song of Songs – I’m going to be a total <insert explicative of your choice here> and recommend a $185 fancy tassel that smells like amber incense. In my fantasy world where I have a dressing room and wear maribou slippers, I’d have one of these. Or a few. It’s my fantasy universe. Available at Saks.

Jonathan Adler Pop Candle in Champagne – This is a candle that smells like fizzy champagne that is in a very on-trend copper vessel. Retails for $42 at Nordstrom. And it’ll last longer than an open bottle of champagne too!

Lauderee Candle in Caramel – If you can’t get French macarons, then get this. It’s in a totally kawaii pastel vessel and smells like salted caramel. Retails for $68 at Luckyscent.

I work every Valentine’s and I see every ridiculous couple that thinks it’s a real holiday. I’m normally not cynical. This holiday was made by a bunch of marketing folks to sell stuff. But of all your lists, this is my absolute favorite because I want one of everything! I still want the Malle body cream. And every day is a Champagne day in my head!

I’m typically cynical 😉 But, this one really, really brings it out of me.

Saying that, I like the “idea” of expressing love because so many of us get wrapped up in daily life. But, I HATE how this holiday guilt trips and forces people. It seems so fake.
Anyway, I like all these pampering products. I love this sort of stuff and it’s an excuse for me to talk about frivolous things. And even though I think it’s corporate, I guess I’m OK with a few special perfume/makeup/body product gift sets that come out this time of year 😉